| dc.description.abstract | In general, 15% of all unsafe abortion globally occurs among adolescents below 20 years old. In Kenya, out of the 35% maternal deaths occurring as a result of abortion, the adolescents contribute 17%. Furthermore, Homa-Bay County is one among the 15 highest burden counties contributing 97% of maternal deaths in Kenya. In spite of, the global attention towards the sexual reproductive health and welfare of adolescents, scanty information on their experience and understanding of their intention to procure unsafe abortion, especially, those ages 10-14 years still exist. This inquiry aims to determine, determinants of intention to procure unsafe abortion among adolescents seeking youth friendly services in Homa-Bay County, Kenya. The specific objectives in the study are ; to assess the effects of adolescents’ perceived susceptibility consequences to intention to procure unsafe abortion, determine the influence of adolescent’s perceived severity consequences to intention to procure unsafe abortion, examine adolescent perceived barriers to intention to procure unsafe abortion and evaluate the influence of health system factors on intention to procure unsafe abortion. The researcher conducted a cross-sectional analytical research from April-June 2020, in 30 Youth Friendly Facilities (19 private and 16 public) in Homa-Bay County, Kenya. Cumulatively, 297 adolescents were interviewed using a structured questionnaire, out of this, 54% were pregnant at the time and 46% were previously pregnant. Statistical Analysis System (SAS) for Windows version 9.2 was used for data analysis, and Bi-variate Logistic Regression analysis was used, Independent variables with p value ≤ 0.05 were included in the multi-variable logistic regression model to assess determinants of intention to procure unsafe abortion after controlling the other factors using odds ratio (OR). Findings show that, only five determinants indicated significance to intention to procure unsafe abortion; knowledge of pregnancy within the 1st three months was a positive predictor of intention to procure unsafe abortion (OR: 11.8; 95% CI: 1.334 – 24.917; p < 0.0001).While, perceived self-efficacy (OR: 0.003; 95% CI: < 0.0001 – 0.031; p < 0.0001), barriers (OR: 0.04; 95% CI: 0.006 - 0.254; p < 0.0001) to abortion, consideration that waiting time to receive care was short (OR: 0.052; 95% CI: 0.003 – 0.918; p = 0.020) and being nulliparous (OR: 0.064; 95% CI: 0.005 – 0.918; p = 0.028) were negatively associated with intention to procure unsafe abortion. The findings will help the county and other similar counties in adopting policies and programs that are friendly and can address determinants of intention to procure unsafe abortion among adolescents. The research recommends a well-structured information delivery system on Adolescents Sexual Health and abortion at an early age, a strong family support system and an empowered male partner to ease disclosure. Finally a responsive and segmentation free health system. | en_US |
